Most people including the most recent me always think that grass is grass any grass is the same as the other one. This is not true at all and when buying grass seeds it’s important to note that sowing just any grass seed on your lawn won’t make it. For anyone planning to have a beautiful lawn free of weeds it is important to plant the right seeds that match the area. There are many types of grass and before planting it is important to perform an extensive research to learn of which type of grass is likely to thrive in your area. After finding the best grass type recommended for your region then you can go ahead and sow your seeds.
The type of seed you choose depends on several factors:
What do you want your lawn to look like? Grasses vary in color, leaf width, habit (characteristic appearance), and density. Grass color and texture vary by species and by exposure to the sun, degree of fertilization, and impact of summer drought. Density also affects appearance. Dense turf crowds out weeds and supports traffic better than sparse turf.
How much time and money do you want to spend? Higher-maintenance grasses mean greater cost and time commitments.
Know your growing conditions: the amount of sun your site gets, soil type, its level of fertility, expected rainfall, and your climate.
How will you use your lawn? Are you planting for landscaping, erosion control, or as a play area?
Source : http://yardcare.toro.com/create/choosing-the-right-grass/choosing-the-right-grass/
After choosing the right type of grass for your lawn it is now important to learn how to take care of the grass and ensure the beauty of your lawn stands the test of time. Grass does not just need water but just like any other type of plant grass also needs care. The care is important in maintaining the grass for longer and for sustaining the beauty.
How to Care for Your Lawn
A verdant lawn makes a wonderful foil for flower borders and creates an emerald focal point in winter when color is in short supply. There are different types of turf for different situations but all lawns benefit from regular mowing, and care and attention in the spring and autumn.
Mowing
Mow grass whenever it is growing, provided the ground isn’t too wet or icy to walk on. In spring, mow once a week with the blades at their highest setting, and gradually lower them as growth accelerates. Use a box to collect the clippings, which can be composted, or use a “mulching mower” which doesn’t remove the grass but chops it into fine pieces, returning nutrients to the lawn. Rake off thick patches of clippings, which will damage the turf. In summer, a high-quality lawn may need cutting three times a week, but in autumn, as growth slows, once or twice a week should suffice.
Watering
In dry periods, water newly laid turf, freshly sown areas, and high-quality lawns. Leave established lawns unwatered, but stop mowing because longer grass helps protect the roots. The grass may turn brown, but will recover once it rains.
Water a new lawn every week in dry spells, until it is established. You can tell when fine lawns need watering because they lose their spring when walked on. Reduce water evaporation by using sprinklers early in the morning or at night. Move seep hoses by 8 inches every half hour.
Feeding
The amount of fertilizer you need to maintain lush green grass depends on how rich the underlying soil is, and if you occasionally leave the clippings on the lawn, which help top up the soil nutrients. Apply granular or liquid lawn fertilizer at least once a year. Spring and early summer feeds are high in nitrogen to boost leaf growth; products for use in early autumn are low in nitrogen but high in potassium to aid grass roots in winter. Do not overfeed because it can result in weak growth and fungal problems.
Divide the lawn into a grid of yard squares using stakes. Apply fertilizer at the rate according to the package. Rent a calibrated spreader for large lawns, and water if it doesn’t rain within three days after feeding.
Weeding Options
Acidic lawns are prone to moss and weed growth. Check soil pH in winter, and raise it by applying ground chalk or limestone at a rate of 2 ounces per 10 square foot. Apply a lawn weed killer in spring or summer, and repeat in early autumn. Organic gardeners can grub out creeping buttercups, daisies, and tap-rooted weeds, like dandelions, using an old knife.
